Hillsborough police chief David Duckenfield has told the jury into the inquests of 96 Liverpool fans that he was working to "a flawed operational (match) order" and had "not envisaged or wished for death or injury to a single football supporter".

Yesterday, Mr Duckenfield, 70, agreed that his failure to close the tunnel leading to those pens was the "direct cause" of the tragedy after he had just ordered the opening of an exit gate at the ground to relieve congestion at the Leppings Lane turnstiles.

The circumstances of that failure was outlined by his barrister today as the retired chief superintendent from South Yorkshire Police gave evidence for a seventh day at the hearing in Warrington.

Summing up his questioning of his client, John Beggs QC, said to Mr Duckenfield: "In front of this jury, Mr Duckenfield, many family members in court, and many many lawyers and journalists, you have admitted, haven't you, some very serious professional failures?"

"Yes, sir," he replied.

Mr Beggs said: "Do you agree that those serious failures were in circumstances where first you were new and inexperienced?"

The witness said: "Yes, sir."

His barrister continued: "Were you working to what we now know was a flawed operational order?"

Mr Duckenfield said: "Yes, sir."

The tunnel at the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough Credit: PA Pictures

Mr Beggs asked: "Were you at least from 2.30pm onwards, if not earlier, under intense pressure?"

Mr Duckenfield repeated: "Yes, sir."

Mr Beggs said: "Were you working in unimaginably difficult and fast-moving circumstances?"

Mr Duckenfield said again: "Yes, sir."

Mr Beggs concluded: "When you went to Hillsborough on the morning of April 15 1989 was the very last outcome that you envisaged or wished for was death or injury to a single football supporter in those central pens?"